Posted by TexasChic on April 14, 2006, at 16:27:32
In reply to Re: Huh? Where in Texas? » crazy teresa, posted by Phil on April 13, 2006, at 21:17:27
Its so funny, yesterday they suspended the 'public intoxication stings'. The same day I wrote this post. Maybe I do have psychic powers!
I listed below one article on when they first started it, and then one where they say they're suspending it.
I still believe a reliable, convienent puplic transit system is the answer.
-T
Texas Police Arresting Bar Patrons For Being DrunkThe state of Texas has begun sending undercover agents into bars -- to arrest drinkers for being drunk, a spokeswoman for the Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission said on Wednesday.
The first sting operation was conducted recently in a Dallas suburb where agents infiltrated 36 bars and arrested 30 people for public intoxication, said the commission's Carolyn Beck.
Being in a bar does not exempt one from the state laws against public drunkenness, Beck said.
The goal, she said, was to detain drunks before they leave a bar and go do something dangerous like drive a car.
"We feel that the only way we're going to get at the drunk driving problem and the problem of people hurting each other while drunk is by crackdowns like this," she said."There are a lot of dangerous and stupid things people do when they're intoxicated, other than get behind the wheel of a car," Beck said. "People walk out into traffic and get run over, people jump off of balconies trying to reach a swimming pool and miss."
She said the sting operations would continue throughout the state.--------------------------------------------------------
Texas suspends public intoxication stings
April 13, 2006 2:07 AM / The Associated PressDALLAS For the time being, Texas isn't going to bust people found drunk in bars.
The Texas Alcoholic Beverage Commission is suspending a program that's been sending undercover officers into drinking establishments.
More than two-thousand bar patrons or workers have been arrested or issued citations since August in a program aimed at cutting down on drunken driving. It's based on laws against public drunkenness, even inside bars.
Commission officials say they've targeted people who really are pretty ripped. They say the average blood alcohol level of those cited is point-17, twice the legal limit.
Mothers Against Drunk Driving praises the program but Texas tourism officials object to it. Bar owners say it's heavy-handed and bad for business.
The alcohol commission says it's reviewing the program to determine the best way to proceed.
poster:TexasChic
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